Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/10/2006

Question
We have a 11 month old brussels griffon puppy and a few months ago we switcher her slowly from nutrience puppy food to iams smart puppy and its around that time our problem occured. We feed her 2x/day 1/2 a cup each time as per recommended. She nips at her food all day and has some in time for her second meal and at night before bed. (fed at 10 and 7) She eats the last of her food during the night and poops on the floor and gets embarassed because she is otherwise completely trained. Is this a habit by now or a lack of exercise or what? She goes for walks runs around the house and the yard alot but seems to take alot of naps as well. Do you have any advice?

Answer
Puppies have reflexes that will cause a bowel movement shortly after they eat.  I would suggest taking the food away from her at night.  She will then eat more through the day and will not need to eat at night.  See if that stops the nighttime bowel movement.